H335 for 5.56 ladder test

[Hoons]

I loaded some 62gr hornady FMJ at 2.229" and stopped at 24.6 after seeing ejector marks and wanted to be safe than sorry, i dont have much experience reading high pressure signs. Hornady manual lists 25.4gr as the max load. What do you think about these ejector marks? Are they relatively nothing to worry about? Can I continue or should I stop?

[ar15robert]

My manual shows 26 I think as max with a 55fmjbt. I load my plinker ammo at 24.5 bern doing it for over 20 years.

No signs of pressure or marks. Forgot what I chronoed it at but was definitely slower than pmc an white box at the time.

[tabascoz28]

Around 2800 to 2900 in my 16". Retail stuff shoots a bit hotter but I'm hoping this means that my brass will last longer.

[TomReloaded]

You're good, you're no where near hot. Even the Hornady max load is 49kpsi.

Your accuracy node is probably right around 25.0 though.

[kcstott]

I stopped at 24.6 after seeing ejector marks and wanted to be safe than sorry, i dont have much experience reading high pressure signs. Hornady manual lists 25.4gr as the max load. What do you think about these ejector marks? Are they relatively nothing to worry about? Can I continue or should I stop?

You're seeing brass flow. So you stop. brass, depending on the hardness of the case head, will flow at 65KPSI and sometimes less if the case heads are soft. your primers are not flat so you're not pushing it to hard but that's still brass flow and you should stop regardless of what you think max charge weight is.

You didn't mention velocity nor seating depth. Velocity will tell you if your lot of powder is faster than the one used for the manual. Seating depth can create pressure issues. As well as neck tension.

[FX-05 Xiuhcoatl]

I stopped at 24.5gr of H335, LC 12, CCI 250, Hornady 55gr SP. No signs of pressure. I settle at 24.5gr because it's the most consistent load on 5 different AR that I own. Crazy accuracy with my 20" upper.

[Hoons]

Edited to include the bullet type and OAL

[BAJ475]

Edited to include the bullet type and OAL

Well, 62 gr bullets make a difference. I use 25.0 grains of H335 with 55 gr FMJ bullets. Your photos are not showing excessive pressure in my view. Other than ejector marks, are there any other signs of excessive pressure. Primers look fine.